Push button switch



' June 24, 1941. E. G. LODGE PUSH BUTTON SWITCH Filed Oct. 24, 1940 K/Zi A INVENTOR. (2M. m b (j/MW ifQp/ ,4 TTORNEYJ.

Patented June 24, 1941 T Q FF 1 C PUSH BUTTON SWITCH Application October 24, 1940, Serial No. 362,527

6 Claims.

This invention relates to electric switches, and more particularly to push button snap switches.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a push button snap switch in which the push button actuating means is positive and dependable in action, and is relatively simple in operation.

In accordance with this invention a slide member is adapted to be reciprocated across a snap switch in a direction oblique to a lin passing through the ears of the pivotally mounted snap action trigger. This slide is provided with a transverse slot through which a portion of a trigger actuator projects. Another portion of the actuator extends along the slide toward the trigger for engagement with one of its ears at a time. The actuator is rotatable in the slot in both directions from a central position, but when the slide is moved so that its slot is in its position which'is farthest removed from the trigger, the actuator is biased into its central position. When the slide is moved inwardly the slot carries the actuator along and pushes it against the adjacent mit it to return to its central position so that when it is again moved ahead by the slide it will engage the other ear of the trigger which is now closer to it than the ear engaged before.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in whichfFig. 1 is an end view of my switch; Fig. 2 is a side view thereof; Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the slide and actuator in normal inoperative position; and Figs. 4 and 5 are plan views showing the slide and actuator in their two opposite operative positions at the moment the trigger snaps into a corresponding new position.

Referring to the drawing, a snap switch I, which is of conventional design and therefore will not be described in detail herein, is provided with the usual pivotally mounted trigger 2 that snaps from switch-opening to switch-closing position, and. vice versa, with the spring 3 that snaps the throw arm 4 from one position to the other. of its pivot pin 5 with a pair of ears 6 and 1 that project from the switch housing. In accordance with this invention the switch is connected by lugs H to the fiat base portion l2 of a supporting member that is bent, at the end op- This trigger is provided on opposite sides posite the trigger, at substantially right angles to form a backing member 13 provided with a pair of holes I4 for the reception of fastening members by which the'entire device can be attached to a suitable support, such as a radio chassis. The end of base [2 adjacent the trigger is provided with a substantially semi-cylindrical opening it through which the trigger ears extend and in which they can swing.

Backing member 13 is provided adjacent base [2 with a rectangular opening H in which a slide plate is is mounted for reciprocable movement in a direction oblique to an imaginary line extending longitudinally of the trigger through both of its ears. This plate extends across base [2 and is guided in its movements by notched overhanging lugs l9 formed by bending up the bifurcated adjoining end of the base member. The inner end portion of the slide may be provided with a rectangular opening 20 for receiving the trigger ears, and the outer end of the slide can be bent to forma flange 2| for insertion in a suitable push button (not shown) by which the slide can be operated. The slide plate I8 is also provided with a transverse slot 22 which, when the slide is in its outer position as in Fig. 3, is next to the inner side of the backing member l3.

To rotate the trigger in order to snap it from either of its positions to the other, an actuating member 24 is provided with a rectangular portion loosely disposed between the slide and base member l2 and projecting inwardly beneath rectangular opening 20 in the slide. The outer end portion of the actuator is bent at right angles to the slide and extends through slot 22 which is oversize so that the actuator can swing or rotate therein in both directions from a central position (Fig. 3) in which the longitudinal axis of the base-engaging portion of the actuator is parallel to the axis of the slide. To hold the actuator in its central position when the slide is in its outer or inoperative position, the outer portion of the actuator is pressed fiat against backing member 13 by a coil spring 26 encircling a headed pin 21 that projects from the backing member through an opening in the actuator.

When slide I8 is pushed inwardly it carries the trigger actuator with it, and the actuator then engages the adjacent ear I of the trigger, which is the ear nearest the backing member, and pushes that ear so that the trigger swings on its pivot. The actuator follows this trigger ear in its movement laterally away from the axis of the slide, and therefore swings laterally with it from its central position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4. The width of the actuator is such that its lateral movement swings it out of the path of the opposite ear 6 of the trigger which is moving in toward the axis of the slide, and thereby prevents the actuator from interfering with the rotation of the trigger. After the trigger has snapped into its new position the slide is released and coil spring 26 moves it outwardly to its inoperative position. As soon as the outer portion of the actuator strikes backing member l3, the coil spring presses the actuator flat against that member and thereby returns the actuator to its central position so that the next time it is moved inwardly by the slide, it will again engage the adjacent ear 6 of the trigger and swing the trigger into the position illustrated by Fig. 5.

To cause the actuator to rotate in slot 22 when its inner end pushes against a trigger ear, the central portion of the outer side wall of the slot projects inwardly to form a fulcrum point 28 on which the actuator can pivot, while the remaining portions of that side wall are inclined outwardly away from the actuator sufiiciently to permit the actuator to swing laterally the necessary amount. The inner wall of the slot preferably has the same shape as the outer Wall so that its central portion will substantially engage the actuator at all times and thereby avoid unnecessary play between the actuator and slot.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle and construction of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiments. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. The combination with a snap switch provided with a pivotally mounted snap action trigger having ears projecting from opposite sides of its pivot pin, of a slide movable back and forth across th switch in a direction oblique to a line passing through said ears, said slide being provided with a transverse slot spaced from the trigger, a trigger actuator having a portion extending along the slide and having an outer portion extending through said slot whereby the actuator is moved inwardly toward the trigger by the slide, the outer wall of said slot being provided with an inwardly projecting central portion forming a fulcrum on which the actuator is rotatabl in both directions toward and from a central position, and means for biasing said slide in a direction that tends to move its slot outwardly away from the trigger and for holding the actuator in said central position when the slot is in its outer position, said actuator being adapted when moved inwardly by the slide to push the adjacent trigger ear and to swing laterally from central position until said trigger snaps.

2. The combination with a snap switch provided with a pivotally mounted snap action trigger having ears projecting from opposite sides of its pivot pin, of a slide movable back and forth across the switch in a direction oblique to a line passing through said ears, said slide being provided with a transverse slot spaced from the trigger, a trigger actuator having a portion extending along the slide and having an outer portion extending through said slot whereby the actuator is moved inwardly toward th trigger Cal by the slide, the opposite side walls of said slot being provided with inwardly projecting central portions the outer one of which forms a fulcrum on which the actuator is rotatable in said slot in both directions toward and from a central position, and means for biasing said slide in a direction that tends to move its slot outwardly away from the trigger and for holding the actuator in said central position when the slot is in its outer position, said actuator being adapted when moved inwardly by the slide to push the adjacent trigger ear and to swing laterally from central position until said trigger snaps.

3. The combination with a snap switch provided with a pivotally mounted snap action trigger having ears projecting from opposite sides of its pivot pin, of a slide movable back and forth across the switch in a direction oblique to a line passing through said ears, said slide being provided with a transverse slot spaced from the trigger, a trigger actuator having a portion extending along the slide and having an outer portion extending through said slot whereby the actuator is moved inwardly toward the trigger by the slide, the central portions of the opposite side walls of said slot substantially engaging the opposite sides of said outer portion of the actuator simultaneously and the remaining portions of said walls being inclined whereby said actuator is rotatable in said slot in both directions toward and from a central position, and means for biasing said slid in a direction that tends to move its slot outwardly away from the trigger and for holding the actuator in said central position when the slot is in its outer position, said actuator being adapted when moved inwardly by the slide to push the adjacent trigger ear and. to swing laterally from central position until said trigger snaps.

4. The combination with a snap switch provided with a pivotally mounted snap action trigger having ears projecting from opposit sides of its pivot pin, of a plate-like slide movable back and forth across the switch in a direction oblique to a line passing through said ears, said slide being provided with an opening loosely receiving said ears and with a transverse slot spaced outwardly from said opening, a trigger actuator having a portion extending along the slide and having an outer portion extending through said slot whereby the actuator is moved inwardly toward the trigger by the slide, said actuator being rotatable in said slot in both directions from a central position, a backing member extending transversely of said slide outwardly of said slot, and means for pressing said outer portion of the actuator against said backing member when said slot is in its outer position to thereby hold the actuator in said central position, said actuator being adapted when moved inwardly by the slide to push the adjacent trigger ear and to swing laterally from central position until said trigger snaps.

5. The combination with a snap switch provided with a pivotally mounted snap action trigger having ears projecting from opposite sides of its pivot pin, of a slide movable back and forth across the switch in a direction oblique to a line passing through said ears, said slide being provided with a transverse slot spaced from the trigger, a trigger actuator having a portion extending along the slide and having an outer portion extending through said slot whereby the actuator is moved inwardly toward the trigger by the slide, said actuator being rotatable in said slot in both directions from a central position, a backing member extending transversely of said slide outwardly of said slot, said outer portion of the actuator being provided with an opening, a pin connected to said backing member and extending loosely through said opening, and a coil spring mounted on said pin for pressing said outer portion of the actuator against said backing member when said slot is in its outer position to thereby hold the actuator in said central position, said actuator being adapted when moved inwardly by the slide to push the adjacent trigger ear and to swing laterally from central position until said trigger snaps.

6. The combination with a snap switch provided with a pivotally mounted snap action trigger having ears projecting from opposite sides of its pivot point, of a switch support provided with a switch-supporting base portion and a portion extending substantially perpendicularly thereto, the latter portion having an opening through it opposite the trigger, a slide extending through said opening and provided with a transverse slot on the side of said opening next to the trigger, a trigger actuator having a portion loosely mounted between said slide and support and having an outer portion extending through said slot whereby the actuator is moved inwardly toward the trigger by the slide, said actuator being rotatable; in said slot in both directions from a central position, and means for biasing said slide in a direction that tends to move its slot outwardly away from the trigger and for pressing said outer portion of the actuator flat against said perpendicular portion of said support when the said slot is in its outer position, said actuator being adapted when moved inwardly by the slide to push the adjacent trigger ear and to swing laterally with it until said trigger snaps.

EDMUND G. LODGE. 

